Toxic culture prioritises office politics over performance - Software Development Engineer (SDE) Pathlock Employee Review

I joined this company with high expectations, but unfortunately, my experience was one of the worst in my career. If you’re someone who believes hard work, honesty, and technical skills are enough to succeed, this may not be the right place for you. In my experience, office politics play a much bigger role than performance. Employees who keep quiet, never question management, and simply agree with everything are treated much better than those who speak up or try to bring positive changes. One thing I would advise prospective employees is to be cautious when reading the positive reviews. Based on my experience, it often felt as though employees were encouraged by HR to post favorable reviews. I would recommend speaking to current or former employees privately before making a decision rather than relying solely on online ratings. The HR department, especially in the Chandigarh office, did not appear to function as an independent employee support team. Instead of representing employees or resolving concerns fairly, it felt like HR’s primary role was to support senior management regardless of the situation. Whenever senior management visited, the focus seemed to be on pleasing them rather than addressing genuine employee issues. As an employee, I never felt that HR was someone I could approach confidently for fair resolution. The management culture, in my opinion, is driven more by favoritism than merit. Recognition and opportunities did not always seem to go to the most deserving people. Employees who were close to influential managers or actively participated in office politics appeared to have a much easier path than those who simply focused on their work. Another disappointing aspect was the overall work environment. It did not feel professional or transparent. Instead of encouraging open communication and constructive feedback, there was an atmosphere where people avoided expressing their opinions because they feared negative consequences. The company advertises attractive salary packages during hiring, which initially makes it seem like a great opportunity. However, after joining, I felt that the work culture significantly affected my mental peace. A good salary cannot compensate for constant stress, politics, and a lack of transparency. The food provided was also far below expectations. Breakfast options were extremely limited, with basic items such as milk often unavailable. The lunch quality was poor and inconsistent, especially considering the standards expected from a company of this size. Overall, my experience was that this is not a workplace where professionalism, transparency, and employee well-being are genuine priorities. In my opinion, employees who are willing to remain silent, participate in office politics, or constantly stay in the good books of senior management are more likely to succeed than those who simply want to work honestly and grow based on merit.